Martha Sleeper

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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Martha Sleeper (June 24, 1910 – March 25, 1983) was a film actress of the 1920s–1930s and, later, a Broadway stage actress. She studied dancing for five years with Russian ballet master, Louis H. Chalif, at his New York dancing studio. Her first public exhibitions were at Carnegie Hall at his class exhibitions. Sleeper's film career began in 1923 and continued until 1945. Her first screen appearance, at the age of 13, was in The Mailman (1923), an independent production. After appearing in several kiddie comedies at the Christie studio she was signed by the Hal Roach studio for the Our Gang" series but she quickly outgrew that role. From 1925-27 she appeared in comedies playing opposite the studio's most popular male stars. She left the Roach studio in late 1927 and moved to the FBO studio where she starred in six silent features during 1928–29. With the coming of sound she was signed by MGM and placed in their training program. From 1930 to 1936 she played supporting roles in many melodramas her role typically that of a well-bred somewhat snobbish society woman who ends up losing her man to the film's leading lady. Frustrated by the types of roles she was being offered, Martha began playing onstage in and about Los Angeles, at one point drawing raves as Eliza Doolittle in a performance of Pygmalion in 1932. After appearing in some low budget melodramas for the poverty row Monogram studio Martha and her husband, actor Hardie Albright, left Hollywood for New York in 1936 where Martha began a long run in both on- and off-Broadway plays. In 1945, as a favor to director Leo McCarey, Martha played the role of Patsy's mother in The Bells of St. Mary's. It was her last screen role.

Filmography

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1964
Sex and the College Girl
Movie Costume Supervisor
1961
Days of Thrills and Laughter
Movie Self (archive footage) (uncredited)
1945
The Bells of St. Mary's
Movie Mary Gallagher
1936
Four Days Wonder
Movie Nancy Fairbrother
1936
Rhythm on the Range
Movie Constance Hyde
1935
Two Sinners
Movie Elsie Summerstone
1935
The Scoundrel
Movie Julia Vivian
1935
Great God Gold
Movie Marcia Harper
1934
West of the Pecos
Movie Ril Lambeth
1934
Tomorrow's Youth
Movie Ellen Hall
1934
Hollywood Party
Movie Show Girl (uncredited)
1934
Spitfire
Movie Eleanor Stafford
1933
Broken Dreams
Movie Martha Morley
1933
Bombshell
Movie Lola's Hair Stylist (uncredited)
1933
Penthouse
Movie Sue Leonard
1933
Midnight Mary
Movie Barbara

More credits

1933
The Secret of Madame Blanche
Movie Chorus Girl Who Hears 'My Country Tis of Thee' (Uncredited)
1932
Rasputin and the Empress
Movie Party Girl (uncredited)
1932
Huddle
Movie Barbara
1931
Confessions of a Co-Ed
Movie Lucille
1931
A Tailor-Made Man
Movie Corrine
1931
Girls Demand Excitement
Movie Harriet Mundy
1931
Ten Cents a Dance
Movie Nancy Clark
1930
War Nurse
Movie Helen
1930
Madam Satan
Movie Fish Girl
1930
Our Blushing Brides
Movie Evelyn Woodforth
1929
The Voice of the Storm
Movie Ruth
1929
The Air Legion
Movie Sally
1928
Taxi 13
Movie Flora Mactavish
1928
Danger Street
Movie Kitty
1928
Skinner's Big Idea
Movie Dorothy
1928
The Little Yellow House
Movie Emmy Milburn
1928
Should Tall Men Marry?
Movie Martha Skittle
1928
Pass the Gravy
Movie Daughter
1927
Flaming Fathers
Movie Daughter
1927
Fighting Fathers
Movie Max's Daughter
1927
Love 'em and Feed 'em
Movie Martha, a stenographer
1927
Fluttering Hearts
Movie Daughter
1927
Jewish Prudence
Movie Rachel Gimplewart
1927
The Honorable Mr. Buggs
Movie The Fiancée